The men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials

Exodus 18:1-27

Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, together with Moses’ sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped near the mountain of God. Jethro had sent word to him, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”

So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and then went into the tent. Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved them.

The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”

Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.

The burden of leadership is heavy, and Jethro's practical suggestion for reorganization and delegation is a sound one. Jethro, although a non-Israelite, is reckoned a godly man. He is welcomed and his advice taken. In religious matters, however, he learns from Moses. It is not clear when Zipporah returned home - perhaps soon after the incident recorded in 4:24-26

Why?

Moses's father-in-law gave Moses a good opinion to be a leader, choose men who fear God, trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain to be a judge among thousands, hundreds, the fifties, and tens. This is an efficient management method. Distribute the responsibility to many right people.

Right men have to serve the Lord in the right way to save time and strength, which is the way to enjoy the life God has given to us.

How?

Fear the Lord, be a trustworthy man, and hate dishonest gain. This is my way in my life either.